Rain (United Artists) (1932)

ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO PRINT ON “RAIN” Sound Reproduction in “Rain” Hollywood’s Highest Mark to Hate New Wide-Range Film, Recently Perfected By Western Electric, Used for First Time cJocin l. raiu ford and William Gorgon in a scene from Rain 3—2 Col. Scene (Mats 10c; Cuts 50c) Short Biographies JOAN CRAWFORD WALTER HUSTON “Rain,” the Joan Crawford pic¬ ture which comes to the . theatre on .., marks what is claimed to be the ^greatest single advance in sound perfection since the advent of the talkies, this being the first picture to be pro¬ duced in Hollywood with the newly- developed wide-range recording sys¬ tem, which insures a naturalness heretofore impossible of attainment. The new system is the latest per¬ fection to come from the laborator¬ ies of Western Electric. In non¬ technical terms, it extends the fre¬ quency range of sounds that can be recorded upon film—the increase be¬ ing from 5,000 cycles to 8,000—and this results in an enormous improve¬ ment in articulation and sound effects. In other words, the effect is much the same as that which would re¬ sult if the musical scale were in¬ creased one octave. Chief advantages of the new svs- Marking the first time that the United Artists has established a com¬ plete picture-making plant on location, many miles from Hollywood, the unit engaged in the production of “Rain,” starring Joan Crawford, at Catalina Island Isthmus, was equipped to create the finished picture without studio con¬ tacts. Miss Crawford and her supporting players, Lewis Milestone, director, and his staff, and several hundred other persons connected with the filmization of the romantic tropical drama, re¬ mained at Catalina Isthmus, about twenty miles from the Island city of Avalon, until the final scene in “Rain” was completed. A Natural Locale Both exteriors and interiors were filmed in natural settings, authentic reproductions of the beach settlement on the South Sea island of Pago Pago, locale of the W. Somerset Maugham story adapted for the screen by Max¬ well Anderson. A small army of men worked at Cat¬ alina Isthmus for a month before the players and directorial staff arrived, building sets which covered several acres, transplanting trees and luxuri¬ ant foliage to create the atmosphere of Pago Pago, and establishing the hundred and one various kinds of fa¬ cilities necessary to the complete pro¬ duction of a special feature picture. Barbers Active A carpenter shop, wardrobe depart¬ ment to handle several hundred prin¬ cipals and extras, blacksmith shop, paint shop, hot-house to insure daily supply of tropical plants and flowers, electrical shop, rain-making plant, hos¬ pital and first aid stations, make-up department, sound reproduction and recording department, film cutting- rooms and projection rooms to show the daily “rushes” were in operation on location. There was even a barber shop, to trim the hair of Walter Huston, play¬ ing the fanatical reformer; William Gargan, ap’pearing opposite Miss Crawford in the role of the Marine sergeant; Guy Kibbee, Walter Cat¬ lett, Matt Moore, and other male prin¬ cipals. Although the company spent approximately two months in the ac¬ tual filmization of “Rain,” the action of the story transpires within a peri¬ od of a few days. The hair of Gar¬ gan, handsome six-footer from the Joan Craiuford, star (/"Rain' 6—1 Col. Star Drawing (Mats 05c; Cuts 30c) tern is in recording sound effects out of doors. “Rain,” which Lewis Milestone made almost entirely on Catalina Island, was therefore an ideal selection for its debut. Experts point out that the recording of fall¬ ing rain, which is composed of many high frequencies, has in the past sounded too much like escaping steam. Now, they say, it will seem as natural to audiences as if they were listening to it in real life. * As a matter of fact, the improved recording extends over the entire picture. There is a much finer re¬ production of voices, especially those of women, and the articulation of the entire cast is the best yet produced in the talkies. “Rain,” a United Artists picture, stars Joan Crawford, and has in its principal supporting roles Walter Huston. William Gargan, ATatt Moore, Walter Catlett, Guy Kibbee. Beulah Bondi, Kendall Lee and several others. New York stage, had to be close- clipped every third day to keep him in character, and Huston’s the other, actors’ hair was trimmed often to jibe with the story’s time element. Tent City Built A tent city sprang up to augment the housing facilities at Catalina Isth¬ mus, and officers and crews of two ships, a large steamer and a four- masted schooner being used in the film¬ ing of “Rain,” were eating and sleep¬ ing aboard their vesels. Enough electricity to illuminate the homes and^ buildings of a city of sev¬ eral thousand population, was used daily to light the big sets and fur¬ nish power in filming “Rain.” LEWIS MILESTONE Lewis Milestone, director of the United Artists picture, “Rain,” starring Joan Crawford, which comes to the . theatre on ., was born in Odessa, Russia. Son of a well-to-do manufacturer, young Milestone went to Berlin to attend a polytechnical school, and instead of returning home he de¬ cided to see America first. With two university friends, Mile¬ stone embarked from Hamburg, but something went wrong with the budgeting of his finances, and he and his companions found them¬ selves stranded in New York City with six dollars among them. Mile¬ stone wrote his father for return fare, but the head of the family replied: “Now that you are in the land of Liberty and Labor, roll up your sleeves and go to work.” He found a job in a factory at four dollars a week. But he lost it after a row with a foreman. The next day he got a better job, and continued to advance in the business world until the United States en¬ tered the World war. He enlisted in the Signal Corps, in the photographic division, where he served with two other youil" men. Josef Von Sternberg and Wes- le}"- Ruggles, who also were to be¬ come famous as motion picture directors. After the Armistice. Milestone went to Hollywood and became an assistant cutter, serving in various studios and eventually gaining the status of full-fledged cutter and film editor. He later became a writer and exnert on story ideas. His first directorial assignment was “Seven Sinners.” This was fol¬ lowed by “The Cave Man.” “Two Arabian Knights” brought him recognition as one of the fore¬ most men in his profession. TTi = other nroductions include “Tb~ Racket.” “The Garden of Eden.” “Betrayal.” “All Ouiet on the West¬ er” Front” and “The Front Page.” Milestone’s loyalty to his aides R proverbial in Hollvwood. Most o f the members of his staff have been with him since the beginning of his directorial career. In Natural Setting “Rain,” United Artists picture starring Joan Crawford under the direction of Lewis Milestone, was made entirely in natural settings at Catalina Island Isthmus, marking the first time that the studio has filmed all interiors outside the studio in Hollywood. Walter Hus¬ ton and other personalities support Miss Crawford in the romantic trop¬ ical drama based on Somerset Maugham’s famous story. Joan Crawford, the 1932 Sadie Thompson of “Rain,” which comes to the . theatre on .. first saw the light of day in San Antonio. She was born in the at¬ mosphere of the theater, for her father operated a chain of play¬ houses in the Southwest. When Joan was six months old the family moved to Lawton, Okla. where she spent her childhood. Joan learned to dance almost as soon a' she was able to walk. She also dis¬ played talent on the piano. When she was seven the family moved to Kansas City, Mo., where the future star was placed in a con¬ vent, and a year later she was placed in a private school. It was during her school days in Kansas City that she won her first prize for dancing in public. She later was to acquire a roomful of silver cups for her exceptional talent. Joan went on the stage at the age of sixteen, in the chorus of a mu¬ sical show playing middle-western cities. But the show soon closed, and she landed a job in a revue at a Chicago cafe. Other cafe engage¬ ments followed, and in Detroit one of the Shuberts saw her dance and offered her a role in the chorus o r “Innocent Eyes,” which was being tried out before opening in New York. She augmented her income on Broadwav by singing in Harrv Richman’s supper club after the evening performances at the theater. Film executives, attracted by her talents and personality, arranged ? screen test and offered her a con¬ tract in Hollywood. During her early career in the film capital she played small parts, then won a fairly important role in a Jackie Coogan picture, “Old Clothes.” The role of the dancer in “Sallv. Irene and Mary” sky¬ rocketed her to screen fame. “Our Dancing Daughters” won her stardom. Other pictures in which she hn r nlayed stellar roles include “Our Modern Maidens.” “Untamed.” “Montana Moon,” “Our Blushin” Brides.” “Paid,” “Dance FooF Dance,” “Laughing Sinners.” “ThF Modern Age.” “Possessed,” “Grand Hotel” and “Letty Lynton.” Miss Crawford is five feet, fon- inches in height, weighs 115 to 1 9 ° pounds and has reddish-brown hair and blue eyes. She has a fine soprano voice. Her favorite pets are Scottish terriers She is partial to sport clothes, and likes to wear lounging pajamas. She is an expert needle-worker and makes many cross-stitch and hooked rugs. She is athletic and is an expert swimmer and tennis player. Slw likes to ride a bicycle. Her “best friend and severest critic” is her husband, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Archeological Note Skeletons of aboriginals who in¬ habited Catalina Island hundreds of years ago were discovered by film workers during construction of sets for “Rain,” United Artists picture starring Joan Crawford. The bones were unearthed near the beach at the Isthmus, which has been trans¬ formed into tropical Pago Pago, lo¬ cale of the romantic tropical dranri based on W. Somerset Maugham’s famous story. Walter Huston, who plays the fanatical reformer in “Rain,” which comes to the . theatre on ., was born in Toronto. Intended for an engineering ca¬ reer, he early showed dramatic tal¬ ent, and, after appearing in amateur theatricals, Huston embarked on a career in vaudeville that was to take him into every city and most of the smaller communities of the United States and Canada during the next fifteen years. Huston’s ability to portray any kind of role brought him to the at¬ tention of New York producers, and he became one of Broadway’s best- remembered character actors and stars. In his later years on Broad¬ way, before he transferred his tal¬ ents to the screen, he was starred in hits such as “Desire Under the Elms,” “Kongo,” “The Barker” and “Elmer the Great.” Huston had three pictures, “The Lady Lies,” “Gentlemen of the Press” and “The Virginian” to his credit before he permanently affil¬ iated himself with films. Brought to Hollywood by United Artists to create the title role in D. W. Grif¬ fith’s “Abraham Lincoln,” he has remained and found his services in constant demand. Huston’s pictures include “Th- Bad Man,” “The Virtuous Sin,” “The Criminal Code,” “The Ruling Voice,” “The Star Witness,” “The House Divided,” “Law and Order,” “The Woman from Monte Carlo,” “Beast of the City,” “The Wet Pa¬ rade,” “Night Court” and “The Panic Breaker.” Huston is slightly over six feet in height, weighs 180 pounds; and has gray eyes and dark hair. WILLIAM GARGAN William Gargan, Broadway lead¬ ing man who makes his Hollywood debut as the Marine sergeant in the United Artists picture, “Rain,” which opens at the .theatre on., was born in Brooklyn. His family had hopes that he would study for the priesthood, but his brother, Edward, was doing well in the theatre so Bill became stage-stricken too.. Ed got him a job and the novice forgot about everything but the stage. Gargan won his first big success in “Aloma of the South Seas,” and before the long Broadway run of the play ended, he had played every male role. He also directed two road companies of “Aloma.” He plaj'-ed in “Chicago,” “The War Song,” “Not Herbert,” “City Haul.” two productions for the The¬ ater Guild, “Raw China” and “HE” and many others. It was his biggest success, “The Animal Kingdom.” that brought him to the attention of film producers. Gargan is six feet in height, weighs 175 pounds and has blue eyes and reddish hair. He is an all- around athlete, being especially pro¬ ficient in boxing, swimming and handball. A 1200-Ton Prop The largest and heaviest sinele “prop” ever used in a motion pic¬ ture, a 1200 ton, four-masted schooner, was towed from San Francisco to Catalina Island Isth¬ mus and anchored as background atmosphere during filming of “Rain,” United Artists picture star¬ ring Joan Crawford under the direc¬ tion of Lewis Milestone. Rules Emotions By Phonograph Records Joan Crawford Turns on Tears At Will in Studio Music which the audience never hears plays a vital part in Joan Craw¬ ford’s interpretation of her screen roles. The star of the United Artists pic¬ ture, “Rain,” which comes to the .... theatre on., with Joan Crawford in the starring role, listens to every¬ thing from grand opera and sym¬ phonies and crooners and popular airs to help her get in the mood for scenes. Phonograph Used A phonograph, operated by an ex¬ pert who has worked with her for five years and who knows what records to play to fit her moods, is the star’s constant companion on the set. Hun¬ dreds of records, made by the greatest musical organizations and artists in the United States and abroad, accompany Miss Crawford every place she goes when she is working in a picture. At the island location, where Miss Crawford created the role of Sadie Thompson for the talking screen in the romantic tropical drama based on W. Somerset Maugham’s famous story, the star’s musical aide was always ready to play a selection just before she started a scene. Gaining the Mood For example, if she was suddenly required to step into a crying scene, she paced back and forth in a secluded corner of the set, then a record such as “Estrellita,” “Moonlight Sonata,” “Sylvia” or “The Swan” was played, and the tears began to flow. Massenet’s “Elegie,” “Romance,” “Chanson Triste” and several Russian airs are among Miss Crawford’s fav¬ orites when tears are needed. For dramatic moods she likes instru¬ mental recordings of Wagnerian operas such as “Tristan and Isolde,” “The Flying Dutchman” and “Walky- rie,” portions of Franz Liszt’s “Les Preludes,” the Franck Symphony in D minor, and the music of Grieg. When she has light, happy scenes to enact, she is fond of music from “The Merry Widow” and selections by Vic¬ tor Herbert and Franz Lehar. Between scenes, when she is relax¬ ing, Miss Crawford likes good popular music and songs by some of the mod¬ ern crooners. Bing Crosby is one of her favorites. Has Large Library Eddie Clermont, phonograph opera¬ tor who started with Miss Crawford in the silent picture days, is constantly adding to the star’s library of records, one of the largest in the film colony. After working with her for years, he thinks she is the greatest person in the world, and the most considerate of everybody associated with her. NATIVES LEARN SPIDERS BITE HERE, TOO But They Had to Be Told That Bite Was Electricity Native extras working bare-footed in the United Artists picture, "Rain,” starring Joan Crawford, which was made entirely in natural settings at Catalina Island Isthmus, discovered after one day of work that they should have heeded Direc¬ tor Lewis Milestone’s warning not to step on wet spiders. These particular “spiders” were splicing blocks for electric cables which carried power to the sets for lighting, operation of a rain-making plant, and other purposes. The natives were playing atmos¬ pheric roles at the end of a pier where Sadie Thompson, Miss Craw¬ ford’s role; the fanatical reformer, Walter Huston, and other passen¬ gers disembarked from a ship at the tropical island of Pago Pago in the opening sequences of “Rain.” Water pouring down upon the set from a net-work of perforated pipes, sometimes grounded electrical ap¬ paratus, and as salt water is a more positive conductor than fresh water, the members of the company had been warned to keep away from the “wet spiders.” In the middle of a scene one of the scantily-attired natives stepped on a splicing block. He jumped several feet into the air and let out a yell that all but knocked the ear¬ phones off a sound-recording expert. Action had to be started again, and from then on the natives kept away from “spiders.” Sergeant Too Handsome Joan Crawford’s new leading man, William Gargan, who plays opposite her in the United Artists picture, “Rain,” was considered too handsome when he came to Holly¬ wood from Broadway to create the role of the Marine sergeant for the talking screen, so studio facial ex¬ perts put a deep, synthetic scar on his face. Complete City Built on Catalina to Film “Rain” in Natural Setting Whole Production Unit Isolated for Two Months Miles Away from Hollywood Studios